January - February 2018
The Beacon Warfighting First, Operate Forward, Be Ready
Commanding Officer, NSA Souda Bay Capt. Brad J. Collins Executive Officer LCDR Joshua F. Jones Command Master Chief CMDCM Neal T. Olds
Beacon Staff/Public Affairs Office Jacky Fisher
Public Affairs Officer, 266-1244
Joel Diller
Assistant Public Affairs Officer, 266-1392
Kostas Fantaousakis
Community Relations, 266-1348
MC2 Chase Martin
Public Affairs Specialist, 266-1642
Contact Email (All PAO personnel):
SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil
The Beacon is the professional online newsletter of NSA Souda Bay Public Affairs. Information contained in The Beacon does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office of NSA Souda Bay. Articles for publication in The Beacon should be submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior leadership. Security and policy review must be completed before submissions can be considered for publication.
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Contents
Beacon layout design by Kostas Fantaousakis
Senior Chief Master-at-Arms William Irizarry holds an American flag during his retirement ceremony on base at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay January 19, 2018. Senior Chief Irizarry served as the NSA Souda Bay Physical Security Officer and retired from the U.S. Navy after serving for 32 years. (Photo by Joel Diller)
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Triad Corner
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The Gouge
Hellenic Navy 5K & 8K Run
10 HAZMAT/ Environmental
12 Retirement Ceremony
14 Awards & Frockings
ON THE COVER: Sailors assigned to Virginia-class attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785) guide a fairing into place while performing maintenance work pierside at Hellenic Naval Base Marathi January 31, 2018. (Photo by Joel Diller)
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Triad Corner
Team Souda,
W
e’re over the hump for shorter days and soon the weather will warm up. If you were here last winter, you’re probably wondering if we even had a winter this year. We may not be out of the woods yet on that note, but as the days get longer, the weather will get better. Great weather brings more opportunity to get out of the barracks or your homes and enjoy your time on this island. Regardless of whether you’re on or off base, safety is paramount and is everyone’s responsibility. Pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eye on your shipmate. The key to successful liberty is having a plan and having good liberty buddies. In my experience, surrounding yourself with good people is often the most important thing in preventing a bad situation from occurring while you are on liberty. If you want to go out in town and you don’t want to drive, either take advantage of the Liberty Shuttle or take a taxi. One is free and the other is rather inexpensive. Carpooling is also an option and a good idea considering that parking during tourist season can be challenging. Whatever your plan may be, if you plan on drinking remember to have a designated driver. If for whatever reason your plan falls through, Tipsy Taxi is there for you… no harm, no foul, no brainer. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, get up with your LPO/ LCPO or contact MC1 Henry. When you’re out in town, mix and mingle with the locals; it’s a great way to learn about the culture in which you live, but be mindful of odd or prying questions that could get you talking more than you should about your job or operations conducted here topside and those down at Marathi. Keep the conversation light, friendly and unclassified with an ‘OPSEC check’ on something before it comes out of your mouth. If what you’re about to say sounds operational, it probably is.
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Mingling with locals of any nationality opens the door for lasting friendships. Cool. If you just met someone out in town or someone approaches you asking for a ride somewhere … they are not your friend and this is not a good idea. If you are approached in such a manner be polite, but hyper-vigilant as you decline the request and try to remember as many details as possible. Then report it ASAP. You can take it to our Security Department or we do have two NCIS agents here on base. You don’t have to be totally freaked out by the experience to think it is reportable. A few ‘not quite right’ situations reported to the right people can be pieced together and lead to a larger scenario … or nothing, but let the professionals decide that. Living in Europe has many travel and sightseeing advantages, and Crete is a fantastic island to do so. Despite that, you or your shipmate can feel isolated or experience stress for a variety of reasons. As well as being a good shipmate, be a good friend, one who listens. There are avenues available if counseling or guidance is needed. We have both an FFSC counselor and a Chaplain on board, and both are available to assist. If your shipmate is struggling and you’re not sure what to do, step up and step in and help them get the help that is both needed and available. If you are the one struggling, there is no shame in asking for help. You are a true leader when you can be the example. We are a small community here with a quick turn over rate and a very large mission to execute to support the Fleet. Work hard, play hard, take care of yourself, and take care of your shipmates. With our optempo, each and every one of you is needed on the job with your head in the game.
~ CMC
Community Outreach
by Kostas Fantaousakis
September 15. Sailors from NSA Souda Bay and Airmen from the 5th Reconnaisance Squadron, volunteered for a beach cleanup at the scenic beach in Kalathas, Akrotiri. Sailors from NSA Souda Bay delivered a significant amount of clothing donations collected by NSA's Chapel to the Smile of the Child Community Market on January 26. The Market provides food and clothing for a large number of families free of charge and is the largest child support organization in Crete.
Want to Participate in a Community Outreach Project? POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community Relations Specialist. Call 266-1348 or 694-043-1157 • E-mail: konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil • All Hands emails are sent calling for volunteers • Ask to join the ComRel projects volunteers distro list.
Got a ComRel idea? Contact PA for guidance. We volunteer, but ALWAYS provide quality service!
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THE GOUGE EVENTS - FLIGHTLINE ACTIVITY - PORT OPERATIONS
AMMO TRANSFER OPERATIONS
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ailors attached to the Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment, Souda Bay coordinate with Port and Air Operations to transport ammunition containers of Mark 54 torpedoes from Hellenic Navy Base Marathi to the NSA Souda Bay airfield for loading onto a C-130 aircraft.
Magnetic Silencing Facility
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ilitary Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) becomes the first ship to pass through the Deep Water Degaussing range off shore of Hellenic Naval Base, Souda, Crete, February 7.
two time WINNER
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fter making a purchase at the NEX customers are asked to go online and submit a survey. Each month four surveys are drawn for a $250 NEX Gift Card. NEX Souda Bay had a winner!! BMC Bertram O. Bonadie picked up his $250 NEX gift card. Chief Bonadie said: "Its great shopping at the Navy Exchange Souda Bay, the associates are friendly and very helpful. One of the NEX cashiers recommended that I go on-line and fill out the customer feedback survey so I decided to fill out the survey because I thought maybe I might get lucky and win again. I won previously about a year ago when I was station in Guam."
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INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL
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he 808's & Fastbreaks and O's & Goats squared off in an MWR Sports intramural basketball game on February 13 in the base gymnasium. The 808's & Fastbreak's came away with the victory after a hard fought game by both teams.
military saves proclamation
C
apt. Brad Collins, NSA Souda Bay commanding officer, signs the 2018 Military Saves Proclamation on Monday, 26 February. The event is hosted annually by the Command, Navy Federal and the Fleet and Family Service Center. The Military Saves Campaign runs from 26 February through 1 April this year with the ultimate goal to inspire NSA Souda Bay Sailors to reduce debt, increase wealth, and save for the future.
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Hellenic Navy 5k & 8k Run
Sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay participated in the 2018 Hellenic Naval Base, Marathi 5K and 8K run on February 23, 2018 along with Sailors from the Hellenic, Spanish and United Kingdom's Royal Navy. (Photos by Joel Diller) Page 8
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Story by Jerry Hollenback, Safety Director
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HAZMAT) Horror Story
veryone loves clean bathrooms that also smell clean. While working at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, a young Marine decided that he did not have time to scrub the toilet if he could just get a strong enough cleaner to do the work for him. He also stated (after he almost died) that he loved the clean smell of Clorox. Room inspections were scheduled for later that day, and the young Marine decided that the fastest way to clean was to dump some cleaning chemicals in the toilet where they would “soak” the stains. Then as he cleaned other parts of the bathroom he would only need to flush the toilet and it would be clean, as well as provide a fresh clean smell. Unfortunately after he dumped Clorox (chlorine bleach) in the crapper, he also dumped other chemicals. Without reading the labels, one of those cleaners included a healthy portion of ammonia with the following warning label, “Warning! Do not use with other products. May release dangerous gases. Use only in well ventilated areas.” The primary toxic chemical formed by the reaction of mixing chlorine with ammonia is chloramine vapor, which has the potential to form hydrazine. Chloramine is actually a group of related compounds that are all respiratory irritants. Hydrazine is also an irritant, plus it can cause edema, headache, nausea, and seizures. In the tight quarters of his bathroom, the toxic vapor slowly incapacitated the Marine who decided that maybe he should lay down. Unfortunately, he lay down on the floor just outside the bathroom and continued to inhale the toxic odors. Shortly thereafter his roommate returned and noticed his buddy fast asleep. When he could not rouse his roommate he called 911 and the story had a happy ending. Consumer products can be even more hazardous than materials we store in HAZMAT lockers. Just because you can purchase something at the NEXMART does not mean it comes without risk. Warning labels on consumer products will provide a cautionary statement, first aid measures, storage and disposal, as well as phone numbers and other information. If you can smell a chemical, that is a good warning property. If your eyes water, and you start coughing, that may be a warning that you are in trouble. Be smart, know the risks, and only use chemicals per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Navy instructions require workers to be trained on HAZMAT per the Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) standard. Instructions also state that the work center supervisor will provide specific training on HAZMAT used in that work center. Contact Safety or Environmental if you have a concern about chemical hazards in your workplace.
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MACS Irizarry Piped Ashore
e h t Into ! t h g i l t Spo
Photos by Joel Diller and MC2 Chase Martin
Story by Joel Diller
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retirement ceremony for Senior Chief Master-at-Arms William Irizarry was held on January 19, 2018 in the Naval Support Activity Souda Bay gymnasium to celebrate his 32 years of service to the Navy. Capt. Brad J. Collins, commanding officer NSA Souda Bay, presided over the ceremony and was the guest speaker. Irizarry was awarded with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Award by Command Master Chief Neal Olds, and was presented with a gift from the Chief ’s Mess. The Chief Petty Officer’s Retirement Creed was read by Al Cornwell, STSCS(SS), USN (ret.), followed by the reading of ‘Old Glory’ by Chief Master-at-Arms Jessica Guzzman as a folded American flag was passed to Irizarry by a Sailor of each rank junior to him, according to tradition. Also in attendance was his daughter, Master-at-Arms Seaman Eryn Irizarry, who recited the poem ‘The Watch’ and accepted her father's retirement flag. Irizarry began his career by enlisting in the Navy on December 10, 1985 and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Center, San Diego, California. He ended his career as the NSA Souda Bay’s Physical Security Officer. During his career, Senior Chief Irizarry completed 12 deployments and three overseas tours where he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (five), an Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (eight). He is designated as an Enlisted Surface Warfare, Expeditionary Warfare, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Small Craft OIC. Page 12 12 Page
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Security Depar tment Fr ocking & Gr aduation Photos by Joel Diller
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he Security Department held a frocking and graduation ceremony on February 9, 2018. Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Michael Machado and Master-at-Arms 3rd Class James Streb received their 3rd class chevrons. Graduates of the Security Academy included Machado and Streb as well as Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeremy Dodson, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Kelly Stup, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Justin Merrill, Master-at-Arms 3rd Class David Becerra, and Master-at-Arms Seaman Ashlee Thomas.
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Awards at Quarters February 2018 Photo by Jacky Fisher
LT CAMMARATA LT SCROGGS LT WEBSTER DC1 LEGEZDH MA3 FIRMALINO MA3 ASBURY
AWARDEES
MA3 HOLLSTEIN ABH3 WOODS MS. AUDREY CHAMPAGNE MR. RICHARD BOURBON MS. ELENI VARVERAKI MS. GEORGIA RIGAMASN SMITH
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In Memoriam
Firefighters from Naval Support Activity Souda Bay held a memorial ceremony at the installation's Fire and Emergency Services Division on February 22, 2018 to commemorate the two firefighters from Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) who recently passed away. Left: Dean Riewald, Region Fire Chief Right: Simone Marangoni, United States Army Garrison, Vicenza, Italy Center: Memorial Service at NSA Souda Bay
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